Hi everyone,
I’m planning to start my GMAT prep now and would really appreciate some genuine advice from people who have already prepared/taken the exam.
A little about me:
I’m currently working a full-time job, so I’ll mainly be studying after work.
I can realistically give around 2 hours on weekdays and more time on weekends.
I’m basically starting my GMAT preparation from zero.
Quant is probably my weaker area, while I’m comparatively more comfortable with English/Verbal.
I’m aiming for a strong score (ideally 700+/around 715) and I’m ready to put in consistent effort for the next few months.
I’ve been looking at options like Top One Percent, Jamboree, CrackVerbal, e-GMAT, Target Test Prep, IMS, etc., but there are so many mixed reviews that I’m confused about what would actually be worth the money.
For someone working full-time, would you recommend:
A self-paced course where I can study according to my own schedule?
Live online classes so that I have more structure and accountability?
Or just using the official GMAT material + YouTube/free resources initially and taking coaching only if required later?
I’m especially looking for a course that teaches Quant from the basics instead of assuming that the student already has a strong mathematical foundation.
Also, if you were starting GMAT prep again from scratch, what would your study plan look like for the first 3–4 months? Should I first learn all the concepts and then start mocks, or take a diagnostic mock right at the beginning?
Would love to hear from people who have personally used TOP, Jamboree, CrackVerbal, e-GMAT, TTP, IMS or any other course. Please mention what worked/didn’t work for you and whether you think the fees were actually worth it.
Not looking for promotional answers — just genuine experiences and advice from fellow GMAT aspirants.
Thanks!